The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 23 watch list finalists for the 2014 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award. The Big 12 landed three finalists on the list, DeAndre Kane (Iowa State), Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) and Juwan Staten (West Virginia).

Named after Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, the annual honor recognizes the top point guards in men’s college basketball. The original watch list of 80 candidates was narrowed down to the below list of 23 by a nationally based committee.

“The 23 athletes on this list represent the most committed, determined and skillful point guards in college basketball,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We are honored to be recognizing their strengths and are excited to move forward in the selection process.”

“The men on this list all have the athletic qualities of an exceptional true point guard in the game of college basketball, the same qualities that made Mr. Cousy an iconic player,” said Ken Kaufman, Chair of the Bob Cousy Award and former president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). “All of these young men are on this list because they deserve to be competing for this well-respected award.”

Beginning Tuesday February 18th through Monday March 10th, fans from around the country will have the chance to vote for the top point guard in college basketball – fan voting begins on www.cousyaward.com at 10:00AM EST. The current listing of 23 finalists for the 2014 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed down to five players by early March. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Hall of Fame committee is made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Hall of Famers and Sports Information Directors.

The winner of the 2014 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Championship Monday in North Texas as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.

University of Texas' DJ Augustin was awarded in 2008 after leading the Big 12 in assists, boasting a 2:1 Assist-Turnover ratio and finished second in scoring in the conference. For more information on the 2014 Bob Cousy Award, log onto www.CousyAward.com.

2014 Bob Cousy Award CandidatesJahii Carson Arizona State UniversityKevin Pangos Gonzaga UniversitySiyani Chambers Harvard UniversityYogi Ferrell Indiana UniversityDeAndre Kane Iowa State UniversityJason Brickman LIU BrooklynKeith Appling Michigan State UniversityAaron Craft Ohio State UniversityMarcus Smart Oklahoma State UniversityXavier Thames San Diego State UniversityTyler Ennis Syracuse UniversityT.J. McConnell University of ArizonaJustin Cobbs University of California, BerkeleyKyle Anderson University of California, Los AngelesShabazz Napier University of ConnecticutScottie Wilbekin University of FloridaChaz Williams University of MassachusettsKendall Williams University of New MexicoMarcus Paige University of North CarolinaEric Atkins University of Notre DameJames Robinson University of PittsburghJuwan Staten West Virginia UniversityFred VanVleet Wichita State University